When most people hear the word Madagascar, their minds jump straight to the animated movie of Alex, Marty, Melmon and Gloria. And who can forget the fun King Julian and the badass penguins?

But beyond the big screen, the real Madagascar is even wilder and far more wonderous. This island nation off Africa’s southeast coast is a living treasure chest of surreal landscapes, rare wildlife found nowhere else on Earth, and cultural experiences that run deep.

From misty rainforests echoing with the haunting calls of lemurs, to jagged stone fortresses that look straight out of a sci-fi set, the list of unforgettable things to do in Madagascar is endless.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to go beyond the cartoon and explore the real island, you’re in for an adventure. Whether it’s a Madagascar safari, a trek through UNESCO World Heritage parks, or relaxing in laid-back coastal villages, the island offers some of the best places to visit in Madagascar for travelers who crave the rare and the extraordinary.

Ranomafana National Park

Ranomafana National Park is the beating heart of Madagascar’s rainforest system. The name “Ranomafana” means “hot water” in Malagasy, named after the thermal springs that bubble nearby. But beyond its soothing springs lies a sprawling green wonderland filled with life.

The park gained worldwide fame in 1986 when scientists discovered the golden bamboo lemur here. This tiny, endangered primate feeds on cyanide-rich bamboo, a diet that would kill most animals, and survives just fine. The discovery was so significant that the park was established soon after to protect the species and the rainforest ecosystem that sustains it.

Ranomafana now forms part of the UNESCO-listed Rainforests of the Atsinanana, a group of protected areas vital to Madagascar’s unique evolutionary history. Scientists and conservationists flock here to study endemic lemur species (ones that exist nowhere else on Earth), while travelers come for treks that feel like stepping into a living Eden.

The Ranomafana National Park has several hiking trails for nature lovers and the best way to explore it is with a guided tour.

This multi-day private tour in Madagascar takes you on a guided lemur trek in Ranomafana as well as several other wildlife adventures throughout the country.

Ifaty Village

If you picture Madagascar only as rainforests, Ifaty will surprise you. This sleepy fishing village on the southwest coast sits on a stretch of dazzling white sand, backed by one of the largest coral reef systems in the Indian Ocean.

The folks that occupy Ifaty is known as the Vezo people. These natives are traditional sea nomads with their lives revolving around fishing, and visitors can see their pirogues (dugout canoes) gliding silently across the turquoise waters at dawn.

Life if Ifaty teaches you about culture, tradition, and how to live in harmony with the environment. And little known to travelers, this place is also a great spot to do some hump-back whale watching during the June to September months.

Just inland lies the spiny forest, one of the strangest ecosystems on Earth. Towering baobabs and cactus-like plants dominate this semi-arid region, housing rare birds like the long-tailed ground roller and reptiles that look like relics from another age.

Tsingy de Bemaraha

A site unlike anywhere else on earth. The Tsingy National Park is unlike the soft beaches and vibrant jungles in Madagascar. This place is a jagged fortress. The word “Tsingy” means “where one cannot walk barefoot,” and it’s no exaggeration. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a sprawling limestone labyrinth, its razor-sharp pinnacles carved over 200 million years by erosion and tectonic shifts.

The Tsingy looks like something from another planet, with towering stone spires rising like a petrified forest. Exploring it isn’t for the faint-hearted. Visitors cross rope bridges suspended over canyons, climb iron ladders bolted into the rock, and squeeze through narrow passages to reach viewpoints that stretch to the horizon.

But the challenge comes with rich rewards. The park is home to some special species which includes the cat-like carnivores Fossa and the Antsingy leaf chameleon, which can only be found at Tsingy in the entire world. Add to that, hundreds of plant species, reptiles, and birds.

Visiting Tsingy needs a bit of planning as you’ll need to arrive in Morondava then take a ride to Tsingy. If you want to get rid of the logistic hassles and have it easy, check out this guided Tsingy expedition from Morondava. It covers transport, local expertise, and safe access to areas most travelers miss—so you spend less time stressing and more time exploring one of the wildest activities to do in Madagascar.

Best ways to explore Tsingy:

• Use a guided tour from Morondava that handles permits, 4X4 transfers, local expertise and underrated spots
• Combine Tsingy with the Avenue of the Baobabs for a once-in-a-lifetime two-in-one trip.
• Multi-day guided tours let you explore more than just the park

Baobab Trees

No image captures Madagascar’s soul quite like the Allée des Baobabs. This iconic dirt road, lined with massive baobab trees is a sight unique to the land. These trees can reach up to 30 meters tall and live to over 800 years. It’s a natural cathedral of giants.

These Adansonia grandidieri trees, some of the rarest baobab species in the world, stand like ancient witnesses to the ever-changing world. At sunset, when the sky burns gold and orange, the scene becomes otherworldly—earning it the name “Avenue of the Sunset.”

The Allée des Baobabs sits near Morondava on Madagascar’s west coast and was declared a natural monument in 2007. For photographers, this is one of the best places to visit in Madagascar. For travelers, it’s a reminder of how nature and culture intertwine and how local communities revere these trees, using their fruits and bark in daily life.

If you want that one postcard shot from your Madagascar safari, this is the place.

Things to Do at Allée des Baobabs

• Visit at sunrise or sunset for breathtaking photography.
• Learn about baobab ecology and cultural significance from local guides with a guided tour.
• Explore nearby villages to see how baobabs shape local traditions.
• Combine with trips to Kirindy Reserve for wildlife safaris to spot the elusive fossa.

Lemur Park

No trip to Madagascar feels complete without meeting its most famous residents: lemurs. While spotting them in the wild is magical, the Antananarivo Lemur Park offers a more intimate experience.

This small reserve provides sanctuary for rescued lemurs that were once kept as pets or displaced by deforestation. Instead of cages, the lemurs roam freely on the island before being released into the wild. The controlled environment also allows you to get up and close with them.

Here, you can get face-to-face with ring-tailed lemurs, black-and-white ruffed lemurs, and brown lemurs. Their playful antics and curiosity make them Madagascar’s best ambassadors—reminding travelers of the importance of conservation.

Tours of Madagascar Lemurs

• Feed bananas (under supervision) to friendly lemurs.
• Photograph lemurs leaping from tree to tree.
• Learn about the threats they face and ongoing conservation work.
• Combine with a trip to Andasibe National Park to hear the calls of the indri lemur in the wild.

For families and wildlife enthusiasts, Lemur Park is one of the most joyful stops on Madagascar wildlife tours.